Splice finder

ABSTRACT

Apparatus including a tape drive capstan and a cooperating movable pressure roller where a slight movement of the pressure roller due to a splice passing between the capstan and pressure roller produces a signal which causes retraction of the pressure roller from an operative position.

United States Patent 1191 Weaver Dec. 117, 1974 SPLICE FINDER [56]References Cited [75] Inventor: Preston R. Weaver, Rocky Hill, UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Con". 3,561,700 2/1971 Adams et al 226/35 3,643,8462/l972 Kato ct al. 226/l55 [73] Ass'gnee' UMC Electmmcs Company North3,718,269 2/1973 Glaettli 226/35 Haven, Conn.

l Filed? 1973 Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles [2] 1 Appl NU; 415,650Attorney, Agent, or Firm-DeLio and Montgomery Related U.S. ApplicationData 57 ABSTRACT [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 339,704, March 9,1 v

1973, abandoned. Apparatus including a tape drive capstan and acooperating movable-pressure roller where a slight move- [52] U.S. Cl226/35, 226/45, 226/154, ment of the pressure roller due to a splicepassing be- 226/176 tween the capstan and pressure roller produces asig- [51 Int. Cl B65h 23/16 nal which causes retraction of the pressureroller from [58] Field of Search 226/176, 177, 45, 35, 90, an operativeposition.

13 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures SHEET 3 0F 4 PATENTEL EEC 1 7 m4 PAIENIEB3.854.643

, sum 11 0F SPLICE FINDER This application is a continuation-in-part ofcopending application Ser. No. 339,704 filed Mar. 9, 1973, nowabandoned.

This invention relates to apparatusfor detecting a change in width ofstrip material passing between two rolling members.

In many applications, material in strip form may be spliced togetherfrom various pieces to achieve the overall length desired. In someapplications the length of tape may be formed in a continuous rollrequiring a splice at the ends thereof. Additionally, lengths of tapewhich contain audio or video intelligence may be spliced as to contentof various sections into a continuous length. Moreover, in some qualitycontrol operations it may be necessary to determine when the thicknessof material in strip or tape form is over a predetermined amount.

The present invention provides an apparatus in which changes in thethickness of strip material such as a thin tape passing between a'pairof rolling members may be readily and easily determined.

A particular application for the present invention, and the environmentin which'it will be disclosed, is for locating splices on audio andvideo recording tape. A great majority of broadcast studios utilizepre-recorded announcements on tapes. The tapes are generally in acartridge which are stored for easy retrieval and reused as necessary.These tapes bearing the recorded announcements, in most applications,are spliced and have two ends joined so as to form an endless loop andare arranged on a reel in a cartridge. Prior .to the present invention,to locate the splice on such a tape, a constant frequency signal isgenerally recorded on the tape and then the tape is played to detect aninterruption in the constant frequency signal which signifies the endsof the tape and, hence, the splice. These cartridges are from time totime erased and new program material or announcements recorded thereon.Prior to recording new program material or announcements, it isnecessary to locate the splice and commence the recording justsubsequent to the splice so that the announcement is not recorded overthe splice.

The present practice in recording new material is to erase the recordingon the tape through the use of a bulk type eraser, record the constantfrequency signal, usually three kilohertz, on the tape, detect thesplice electronically, erase the constant frequency signal by means of abulk eraser and then record the new announcement. It will be readilyapparent that this is a rather time-consuming technique.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a new and improved devicefor locating a splice or other overthickness portion on the tape veryquickly.

Briefly stated, the invention in one form thereof comprises cooperatingroller members, one of which is driven and drives the tape when bothrollers are in contact therewith. One of the rollers is carried on ashaft which is movable between an operative position and a retractedposition. When a very slight movement of the movable roller occurs, suchmovement is sensed and the means holding it in driving contact with thetape is deactivated. The splice or over-thickness area of the tape isthen definitely located.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved apparatusfor locating a splice or other over or under thickness point in a lengthof strip material or tape.

. Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for locatinga splice or point in a length of tape or strip material and immediatelydeactivating a drive means for such tape.

Another object of. this invention is to provide a new and improved meansfor moving a pressure wheel away from a driving capstan when a tapesplice passes therebetween.

A further object of this invention is to provide new and improvedapparatus for locating a tape splice and erasing material on the tape ina minimum of time.

The features of the invention which are believed to be novel areparticularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concludingportion of this specification. However, the invention both as to itsorganization and operation, together with further objects and advantagesthereof, may best be appreciated by reference to the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the device of FIG. 1 with the top wallpartially cut away;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the device of FIG. 1 with the sidewallremoved;

FIG. 4 is a drawing representative of a tape cartridge utilized inconjunction with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a view of a tape splice showing splicing tape on both sides ofa tape joint;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a control circuit that may be used inconjunction with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a tape drive with the top housing memberpartially cut away to illustrate the drive system thereof;

FIG. 8 is a view seen in the plane oflines 8.8 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view seen in the plane of lines 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of that shown inFIGS. 7 9; and

FIG. 11 is a view seen in the plane of lines 11-11 of FIG. 10. I 7

An embodiment of the invention adapted to operate on a tape cartridgefor pre-recorded broadcast messages is disclosed and reference is firstmade to the cartridge 10 of FIG. 4. This cartridge comprises a reel 11having thereon an endless length of tape 12 disposed about guides 13 andl4.An aperture 15 is defined in the bottom of the cartridge to permitentrance of a pressure roller, as hereinafter described. The reel 11includes a disc 16 which is normally engaged by a brake member 17carried on a resilient arm 18 anchored at 19. The cartridge is recessedas indicated at 20 to permit the tape 12 to engage drive capstan. Thebrake is released by the shaft of a pressure wheel engaging portion 21of the arm 18. Arm l8 and a portion 21 are disposed below the level ofthe tape 12.

When the cartridge is placed on the splice finder it is moved to aposition where the pressure wheel pivots upwardly through aperture 15and the shaft thereof pushes outwardly on portion 21 to release thebrake as the pressure roller engaged one side of the tape and forces andholds the tape into driving engagement with a capstan.

A splice finding device, as shown in FIGS. 1 3, comprises a housing 25having a top wall or surface 26, and opposed pairs of vertical sidewalls 27 and 28. Pivotally mounted below surface 26 is a pivotal shaft29 which carries thereon a shaft 30 about which pressure roller 31 isrotatable.

Also carried by shaft 29 is an arm 32 (FIG. 3). When shaft 29 is rotatedapproximately 90, arm 32 will engage a sensing device which comprises amagnetic core or armature 33 within a coil 34. Arm 32 when moved to theposition in dotted line will also close a switch 35.

Shaft 29 is normally biased to the position shown in FIG. 3 by a spring36 attached at one end to a bracket 37 on the underside of surface 26and attached at the other end to a strip 38 which is secured to shaft 29as by means of a screw 39. The spring 36 comprises a means for movingthe pressure roller to a retract position. Strap 38 passes about shaft29 and is attached to the plunger or armature 40 of a solenoid 41.Solenoid 41 provides a means for holding pressure roller 31 in anoperative position. Solenoid 41 will include its own armature biasingspring (not shown) which will tend to extend armature 40 when thesolenoid is not energized. Further carried on shaft 29 is an armproviding member 42 connected to a link 43 which is, in turn, connectedat its other end to a lever 44 (FIG. 2). Lever 44 is pivotally mountedas indicated at 45 beneath the surface 26. The other end of lever 44 ispivotally mounted to a slide member 46. Slide member 46 is moved to theright as viewed in FIG. 2 when engaged by end surface a of cartridge 10.Such movement will pivot lever 44 about its pivot point 45 and causepivotal movement of shaft 29. Slide 46 includes a depending end 49adapted to operate a switch 50 when moved to a dotted line position asshown in FIG. 2. Slide 46 has an upstanding end portion 52 with anadjustable abutment 53 thereon which extends above surface 26 throughaperture 54 therein.

The pressure roller 31, when pivoted to the position shown in brokenline in FIG. 3 is adapted to produce pressure on tape 12 passingtherebetween and a capstan 60. Capstan 60 is rotatably supported in abracket member 61 depending from surface 26 and carries thereon a pulley62 driven by a belt 63 from a motor 64 mounted to the underside ofsurface 26.

The operation of the device thus far described is now explained.

When it is desired to locate the splice on a tape 12 of a cartridge 10,the cartridge is moved into position as shown in FIG. 1, surface 20athereof engages abut ment 53 on slide 46 pushing the slide 46 to theright as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3 and at the same time rotating shaft 29towards the position shown in broken line in FIG. 3. When portion 49 ofslide 46 operates switch 50, solenoid 41 will be energized to hold shaft29 and pressure roller 31 in the position shown in broken line in FIG.3. The solenoid will be energized when the pressure roller is about oneeighth inch or less from the capstan. As arm 32 is rotated to the brokenline position of FIG. 3, it will move the armature 33 inwardly of coil34 of the sensing device, and close a switch 35 which will initiate atime delay for reasons hereinafter ex plained.

Also included in the device supported beneath surface 26 is a bulk erasecoil 65. A pressure switch 71 which extends upwardly through surface 26senses the existence of a cartridge 10 on surface 26, applies power tomotor 64 to condition the unit for operation.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 which shows a schematic diagram of thecontrols. The energization of the erase coil 65 is controlled by aswitch 66 located on surface 26 which may be briefly depressed toenergize coil 65.

The control includes a power transformer 75, a full wave rectifier 76. Apredetermined voltage is applied to coil 34 of the sensor from a pair ofzener diodes 77 and the other side of the coilis connected to anamplifier 78. Any slight movement of the armature 33 within coil 34 willcreate a voltage pulse which is applied to amplifier 78 and hence, to athreshold detecting amplifier 79. When the pulse applied to amplifier 79reaches a predetermined value as determined by potentiometer 80,amplifier 79 will turn on a transistor 81 to apply a gating signal overline 82 to a controlled rectifier (CR) 83. Upon firing of CR 83 a relay84 is energized when a contact 85a of a relay 85 is closed. Whenenergized, relay 84 will open a normally closed contact 84a which is inseries with solenoid 41 and switch 50.

When the cartridge is inserted and pivots pressure roller 31 toward theposition'shown in broken line in FIG. 3, switch 50 is closed andsolenoid 41 is energized over line 86 through switch 50, contact 84a andline 87 to hold pressure roller 31 in an operative position.

When arm 32 actuates switch 35, it removes the ground from a timingcapacitor 88 and capacitor 88 will charge over line 89 and throughresistance 90. After a predetermined time delay as determined byresistance 90 and capacitance 88,the voltage buildup on capacitor 88will turn on a uni-junction transistor 91 which will gate a controlledrectifier 92. When this occurs, relay 85 is energized and closes itscontacts 85a, 85b and 85c. Capacitor 88 will discharge through contact85c, contact 85a in closing completes a circuit to CR 83 through relay84. Relay 85 is latched in through contact 85b and switch 35 while theanode of CR 91 is grounded and extinguished. The purpose of the timedelay is to compensate for any transients in the circuit at start-up sothat no undesired triggering action of the controlled rectifiers mightoccur.

At this time the pressure roller 31 engages capstan 60 and the tape 12will be driven. When a spliced point in the tape indicated at S (FIG. 5)with splicing material S1 and/or S2 passes between pressure roller 31and capstan 60, there will be a very slight movement of pressure roller31 and shaft 29. This movement imparts a slight movement to shaft 29and, hence, arm 32.

When arm 32 moves, armature 33 moves with respect to coil 34 and avoltage pulse is induced therein. The pulse is applied to amplifier 78and the amplified pulse is then applied to peak detecting amplifier 79.Transistor 81 turns on and gates CR 83, and relay 84 is energized. Whenrelay 84 is energized contact 84a is dropped out opening the circuit tosolenoid 41, spring 36 immediately retracts pressure roller 31 as brake17 engages disc 16 on reel 11 and the tape is stopped at the splice.

The cartridge 10 may now be removed and either erased on the bulk erasercomprising coil 65 by momentarily depressing switch 66, or the tape maybe stored for later recording. At this time, the splice position isknown so that if the tape is to be used again it is positioned for thestart of the new recorded announcement or program material without thepossibility of recording over the splice. Alternatively, the tape may bestored for later recording.

The splice shown in FIG. 5 utilizes two pieces of splicing tape S1 andS2. However, it will be understood that in most splices only one of thesplicing tapes S1 or S2 is utilized. The splicing tape is generally ofthe same thickness as the recordingtape and while this is only on theorder of 0.001 inch such small movement that the increased thicknessimparts to the pressure roller is sufficient to create the voltagechange in coil 33 and trigger a control circuit as described in FIG. 6.

The splice finding locating device as disclosed operates on a completecycle merely by the positioning of a cartridge thereon. However, ifdesired the operation may be made more manual as, for example,permitting manual operation of the switches and manual operation of themotor.

In FIG. 6, the control circuit has been shown in schematic form andconventional practices such as protective resistors, diodes, etc., aboutthe relay coils and controlled rectifiers have not been specificallyidentified inasmuch as such identification is not necessary to anunderstanding of the invention.

The invention may also be utilized in apparatus where the strip materialto be monitored is on open reels, or not in loop form.

FIGS. 7 9 exemplify the invention as applied to tape on open reels. Ahousing 93 includes an upper deck member 94. Extending above deck member94 are spindles 95 and 96 upon which reels 97 and 98 are disposed,respectively. As shown, tape is paid-off from reel 98 and taken up onreel 97. From reel 98, the tape 99 passes partially about a tensionroller 100 which includes a pivotal arm 101 biased by a spring 102 tomaintain tension in the tape. Thereafter, the tape passes through afirst pair of guide rollers 103 to a capstan 104 and pressure wheel 105to a second pair of guide rollers 106 and, hence, to reel 97. A motor110 drives the capstan, and also through conventional transmission (notshown) drives the shafts 95 and 96 upon which reels 97 and 98,respectively, are positioned. Motor 110 drives a capstan 104 through amotor pulley 111, a capstan pulley 112 and a belt 113. Capstan 104 isrotatably mounted in a slide member 114. Slide 114 is slidable in guides115 and 116 carried on the underside of member 94 toward and away frompressure wheel 105 between an operating position and a retract position.Slide 114 is attached to the midportion of a leaf spring 1 17 which hasits outer extremities attached to a lever 118. At least one end ofspring 117 has a slot therein through which the attaching screw passesto permit flexing of the spring. Lever 118 is pivoted at one end thereofto a member 120 supported from the underside of member 94. The other endof lever 118 is pivotally connected to the plunger 121a of a solenoid121. Connected between lever 118 and a fixed point 122 on member 94 is areturn or retract spring 123. Spring 123 is a means for retracting slide114. This function may also be served by the provision of a returnspring on the plunger 121a of solenoid 121. Pivotally mounted to anextension 124 of slide 114 is a lever 125 whose other end bears on themoving core or armature 126 of a sensor 127. Lever 125 is pivotedintermediate the ends thereof at 128 to a member 129 supported frommember 94. This defines lever arms 125a and 125b.

In this embodiment the driving capstan 104 is movable between anoperating position and a retract position.

In operation, to drive tape 99 solenoid 121 is energized which pivotslever 118 counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 7, causing lever 118through spring 117 to move slide 114 and capstan 104 into drivingengagement with tape 99 and pressure roller 105. If a splice or sectionof predetermined different thickness of the tape passes between pressureroller 105 and capstan 101, a small movement to the right (as viewed inFIG. 7) is imparted to slide 114. Such movement produces a very smallpivotal motion of lever 1250 about pivot point 128. Arm 125b of lever125 amplifies this motion and moves against member 126, and a signal isgenerated by sensor 127. In response to this generated signal solenoid121 is de-energized, spring 123 pivots lever 118 clockwise (as viewed inFIG. 7) and withdraws capstan 101 from driving engagement with tape 99.

The circuitry disclosed in FIG. 6 may be used for the control of themechanism of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention in a top planview where the motor 110 drives a pulley 129 disposed on the shaft ofpressure roller 105.

In this embodiment the movable member, or capstan in response tomovement of the tape driving member.

It will be apparent that the apparatus may be utilized to determine andlocate either a predetermined overthickness or under-thickness of stripmaterial. If the material is under a predetermined thickness, thesolenoid will pull further in on the lever attached to the movableroller, and the sensor will generate a pulse.

The sensor may be any type of transducer which will generate thenecessary signal in response to a mechanical movement.

It may thus be seen that the objects of the invention set forth as wellas those made apparent from the foregoing description are efficientlyattained. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been setforth for purposes of disclosure, modification to the disclosedembodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof mayoccur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims areintended to cover all embodiments of the invention and modifications tothe disclosed embodiments which do not depart from the spirit-and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for detecting a splice in a length of recording tape wheretwo ends of tape are spanned by a splicing tape, comprising a capstanfor driving the tape, a pressure wheel adapted to contact the tape onone side thereof and hold said tape against the capstan, said pressurewheel being carried on a movable shaft, means for moving said shafttoward a retract position away from said capstan, means for holding saidshaft in an operating position in which the pressure wheel engages thetape, and sensing means responsive to movement of said shaft when asplice on said tape passes between said capstan and said pressure rollerfor deactivating said holding means whereby said moving means moves saidshaft towards a retract position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shaft is pivotally mounted,said means for moving is a spring which is tensioned upon movement ofsaid pressure wheel to engage the tape, and said holding means is asolenoid acting in opposition to said spring when energized, and meansresponsive to said pressure roller moving to engage the tape forenergizing said solenoid.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a member arranged forpivotal motion, said pressure wheel shaft extending from said member.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further including an arm member extendingfrom said pivotal member, a sensing device positioned to be contacted bysaid arm member as said pressure wheel is moved into contact with saidtape, said holding means acting on said pivotal member, said sensingmeans being effective to emit a signal indicative of movement of saidarm member and means responsive to the signal for deactivating saidholding means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said holding means is a solenoid,means for energizing said solenoid as the pressure wheel engages thetape, said means responsive to movement of said shaft comprising atransducer adapted to emit a signal upon movement of said shaft, andmeans responsive to the transducer signal for de-energizing thesolenoid.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said pivotallymounted shaft extendsfrom a pivot providing means, an arm extending from said pivot providingmeans, said transducer sensing movement of said arm.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said transducer is a coil receivinga core therein and said arm contacts said core when said pressure rollerengages said tape.

8. Apparatus for detecting a splice in a length of recording tape in acartridge where two ends of tape are spanned by a splicing tape,comprising a capstan for driving the tape, and means for driving thecapstan, a

pressure wheel adapted to contact the tape on one side thereof and holdsaid tape against the capstan, said pressure wheel being carried'on amovable shaft, means for moving said shaft toward a retract positionaway from said capstan, means for holding said shaft in an operatingposition in which the pressure wheel engages thetape, means responsiveto positioning of the cartridge on said apparatus for engaging tape withsaid capstan for moving said shaft toward a tape engaging position andmeans for energizing said holding means as said pressure roller engagesthe tape, and means responsive to movement of said shaft when a spliceon said tape passes between said capstan and said pressure roller fordeactivating said holding means whereby said means for moving moves saidshaft towards a retract position.

9. Apparatus for detecting a predetermined change in thickness in alength of strip material, comprising first and second rollers defining apath therebetween for the strip material, a movable member carrying saidfirst roller, first means for moving said member toward said secondroller to engage the strip between said rollers and hold said firstroller into a strip engaging position, second means for moving saidmember toward a retract position away from said second roller, andsensing means responsive to movement of said shaft in response to apredetermined change in dimension of the strip passing between saidrollers for deactivating said first means for moving whereby said secondmeans for 12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein one of said rollers is acapstan and the other is a pressure roller.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the strip material is a recordingtape and the points of change in thickness sought to be located aresplices.

1. Apparatus for detecting a splice in a length of recording tape wheretwo ends of tape are spanned by a splicing tape, comprising a capstanfor driving the tape, a pressure wheel adapted to contact the tape onone side thereof and hold said tape against the capstan, said pressurewheel being carried on a movable shaft, means for moving said shafttoward a retract position away from said capstan, means for holding saidshaft in an operating position in which the pressure wheel engages thetape, and sensing means responsive to movement of said shaft when asplice on said tape passes between said capstan and said pressure rollerfor deactivating said holding means whereby said moving means moves saidshaft towards a retract position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid shaft is pivotally mounted, said means for moving is a spring whichis tensioned upon movement of said pressure wheel to engage the tape,and said holding means is a solenoid acting in opposition to said springwhen energized, and means responsive to said pressure roller moving toengage the tape for energizing said solenoid.
 3. The apparatus of claim1 further including a member arranged for pivotal motion, said pressurewheel shaft extending from said member.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2further including an arm member extending from said pivotal member, asensing device positioned to be contacted by said arm member as saidpressure wheel is moved into contact with said tape, said holding meansacting on said pivotal member, said sensing means being effective toemit a signal indicative of movement of said arm member and meansresponsive to the signal for deactivating said holding means.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said holding means is a solenoid, means forenergizing said solenoid as the pressure wheel engages the tape, saidmeans responsive to movement of said shaft comprising a transduceradapted to emit a signal upon movement of said shaft, and meansresponsive to the transducer signal for de-energizing the solenoid. 6.The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said pivotally mounted shaft extendsfrom a pivot providing means, an arm extending from said pivot providingmeans, said transducer sensing movement of said arm.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 6 wherein said transducer is a coil receiving a core therein andsaid arm contacts said core when said pressure roller engages said tape.8. Apparatus for detecting a splice in a length of recording tape in acartridge where two ends of tape are spanned by a splicing tape,comprising a capstan for driving the tape, and means for driving thecapstan, a pressure wheel adapted to contact the tape on one sidethereof and hold said tape against the capstan, said pressure wheelbeing carried on a movable shaft, means for moving said shaft toward aretract position away from said capstan, means for holding said shaft inan operating position in which the pressure wheel engages the tape,means responsive to positioning of the cartridge on said apparatus forengaging tape with said capstan for moving said shaft toward a tapeengaging position and means for energizing said holding means as saidpressure roller engages the tape, and means responsive to movement ofsaid shaft when a splice on said tape passes between said capstan andsaid pressure roller for deactivating said holding means whereby saidmeans for moving moves said shaft towards a retract position. 9.Apparatus for detecting a predetermined change in thickness in a lengthof strip material, coMprising first and second rollers defining a paththerebetween for the strip material, a movable member carrying saidfirst roller, first means for moving said member toward said secondroller to engage the strip between said rollers and hold said firstroller into a strip engaging position, second means for moving saidmember toward a retract position away from said second roller, andsensing means responsive to movement of said shaft in response to apredetermined change in dimension of the strip passing between saidrollers for deactivating said first means for moving whereby said secondmeans for moving retracts said first roller.
 10. The apparatus of claim9 further including means for driving said first roller.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 9 further including means for driving said secondroller.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein one of said rollers is acapstan and the other is a pressure roller.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9wherein the strip material is a recording tape and the points of changein thickness sought to be located are splices.